These 3 uni friends opened a bakery in DJ specialising in freshly baked sourdough bread

Picture this: three university buddies who met in ‘The Land Down Under’ years ago, are now whipping up some serious magic in Petaling Jaya. The trio met in Melbourne while pursuing their studies. What started as a shared love for food and endless kitchen experiments, has since morphed into a full-blown sourdough sensation in Damansara Jaya.

While they didn’t exactly trade their textbooks for late-night baking sessions, they did make their way back to the motherland, collaborating to transform their shared dream into Provisions—a bakery that’s as vibrant and unwavering as their friendship.

Inspired by the iconic bakeries of San Francisco and the chic cafes of Melbourne, Provisions is more than just a spot for freshly baked sourdough. It’s a heartwarming haven where you can indulge in a wide range of their offerings like crave-worthy cakes and smooth, creamy cappuccinos. So, pull up a chair and get ready to savour a slice of their story, served up with warmth and a side of scrumptious bread!

Image Credit: Tatler Malaysia

The co-founders Lim Heng Kit, Lee Ziyan, and Lim Yee Rui, actually began their F&B journey by opening their first venture, LI Restaurant. It was only after the Asian-fusion restaurant started gaining traction that they felt comfortable enough to expand their endeavours.

Hence, they bought the shoplot next door to LI, and just like that, Provisions was born in late 2019. The idea behind the cafe-bakery was actually promoted by a quaint coffee booth that they used to have within LI. It did better than they expected, so they decided to expand on that concept.

Celebrating friendship, passion & the art of sourdough

Their bakery isn’t just a place to grab a loaf—it’s a celebration of friendship, culinary passion, and perfecting the art of sourdough. Turning their university dream into a culinary reality, what do these friends actually have to offer through their brainchild, Provisions?

Starting with the interior design, the neighbourhood bakery flaunts a gorgeous burnt orange colour that really catches one’s eye. There is a bench strategically placed at the entrance of the bakery that’s perfect for snapping a few aesthetic pictures for your feed.

Step inside and you’ll find a space that’s softly lit with speckled countertops and warm wooden accents. The kitchen door has a circular window that gives you a peek into the bread-making action. It may not be the most instagrammable bakery out there, but it certainly has style.

Image Credit: Boon Loong Leo on Google Review (left), Jessie Soon (right)

Considering Provisions was inspired by a coffee booth, it only makes sense for them to have really good coffee. Coffee aficionados out there will be delighted to know that the bakery offers a custom blend consisting of 40% Brazilian, 40% Guatemalan, and 20% Sumatran beans. You can even take home a bag of this special blend to enjoy at your leisure.

Who doesn’t love fresh bread?

It isn’t a bakery without freshly baked goods, is it?

Provisions carries a mix of Asian and Western-style baked goods that are perfect for an on-the-go breakfast. Everything is baked from scratch, with the bread-making process starting as early as 6am, daily. It’s a meticulous and tiresome routine that involves kneading, chilling, and baking, where temperature and folding techniques play crucial roles.

Their sourdough routine is especially tedious, requiring a multi-day fermentation process. However, it is the relentless dedication and care that makes their sourdough one of their standout specialties and bestsellers.

Image Credit: Eric Chan on Google Review (left), Jay (right)

They have Wholemeal Sourdough, Rye Sourdough, and Walnut Raisin Sourdough loaves. For a more fluffy and light alternative, indulge in their Japanese Milk Bread (RM16). All four varieties of bread pair really well with their in-house-made, sous-vide kaya, one of their signature offerings.

Unlike traditional kaya, this one flaunts a unique texture, offering a runny yet creamy coconut spread with just the right amount of sweetness. Tubs of this pandan goodness are available for those who want to enjoy this delightful spread every morning from the comfort of their homes.

Image Credit: Ting Hooi Soo on Google Review (left), Pink Orange Banana (right)

You can also enjoy their selection of breads through their hot breakfast dishes. For a morning pick-me-up, their Avocado Rye Tartine (RM19) is a classic avocado toast dish that is creamy and divine. Drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper, this is a simple and delicious treat.

You can also opt for their Scrambled Eggs on Toast which presents a plate of extremely soft and fluffy eggs that are vibrant and served with a slice of sourdough toast and a dollop of tomato jam. Doesn’t the sound of that alone make you drool?

But Provisions isn’t just about breakfast…

If you’ve been there before, you’d know that they’ve got many lunchtime hits! Their Grilled Cheese Sandwich is a must-order. Dunked in a luscious, homemade tomato soup, customers have no complaints about this dish that’s been on the menu since they first opened.

Their Chicken Pesto Sandwich is another crowd-favourite but admittedly not as loved as the grilled cheese. They’ve also got more substantial mains like their Meatball Pasta, offering an Italian classic.

Image Credit: Jessie Soon on Google Review

At Provisions, they have a tempting range of cakes including staples like banana cake and butter cake. Their very own twist on carrot cake, garnished with a little lemon zest for a balance in richness. As well as classics like doughnuts, scones, and flaky, buttery pastries.

As you can probably tell, Provisions in Damansara Jaya is a heartwarming slice of the dreams and camaraderie shared by three university friends who first crossed paths years ago in Melbourne.

Sure, it is the perfect spot for people in the neighbourhood to grab a sourdough loaf, but it is also the place where the trio’s bond. Forged over countless makan sessions and shared laughter, Provisions has become something truly special. Friends that never stop eating together, clearly stay together!